MnDOT changes traffic signal rotation on Highway 10 in Detroit Lakes

Detroit Lakes, Minn. (KDLM) – Starting May 4, drivers may have noticed changes to the traffic signals along Highway 10 between Airport Road and County Road 54 in Detroit Lakes, according to a Minnesota Department of Transportation news release.

Drivers turning left at certain intersections will need to be aware that the turn signal was moved to a different part of the lighting cycle.

The changes are the result of a traffic signal optimization study done earlier this year and are expected to help improve mobility and reduce delay for motorists traveling through Detroit Lakes, the news release stated.

In addition to the lighting changes on Highway 10, MnDOT also changed the signals on Highway 34 at Highway 59 and Roosevelt Avenue to improve traffic flow during peak commute times.

Trudy Kordosky, MnDOT’s District 4 traffic engineer, said, “Motorists will need to pay closer attention at the signals, as the timing and sequencing may not be what they are used to.”

The news release also stated the agency believes motorists on Highway 10 will benefit from reduced delays, stops, fuel usage, emissions, and wear and tear on their vehicles.

They added, nationally, updating traffic signal timing has been shown to reduce traffic delay by 15 to 40 percent, reduce travel times by up to 25 percent, and has a benefit to cost ratio that can exceed fifty-to-one.